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pose, and therefore we shall find in subsequent detail a variety of reputed heretics so called. The same is the case in the present day; some term considered by the multitude expressive of reproach, is attached to the more zealous and exemplary of every denomination; and it is a mark they must be content to wear.

It would be an almost endless task to enumerate the divers sects which prevailed during these ages. The catholics themselves were divided into a thousand orders; and the monks, especially, were for ever splitting into parties. The objectors to the Roman see, though united in their resolution to separate from that communion, could not agree upon one creed among themselves : and indeed, where there might be a considerable sameness in point of doctrine and discipline, a thousand eircumstances occurred to divide them into different societies, and of course a variety of denominations must have prevailed.

This century revived an old and almost forgotten party, who had distinguished themselves by the flagellations which they exercised upon themselves. These WHIPPERS ascribed those things to the scourge, which had been ascribed to the merits of Christ and to the sacraments. They asserted, "that the old law of Christ was soon to be abolished, and that a new law, enjoining the baptism of blood to be administered by whipping, was to be substituted in its place." This sect was cruelly persecuted by the inquisition; but not extirpated. In opposition to the Whippers, arose the DANCERS; a party, it must be allowed, more joyous, if not less superstitious. They "assembled of both sexes; and, holding hand in hand, displayed the most extraordinary gestures, till exhausted with the violence of their continued motions, they fell breathless to the ground, pretend

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ing, at these seasons, to receive visions and revelations." Inasmuch as the folly of these Dancers was less cruel than that of the Whippers, so was the treatment they met with from their spiritual judges. "The ignorant elergy regarded them as demoniaes, and by incense and exorcisms endeavoured to east out the dancing devils from the deluded fraternity."

Such variety of opposition to the popedom kept alive the vigilance of the inquisitorial officers, and multitudes fell victims to their cruelty. The Lollards were prineipally marked; and after the death of the emperor Lewis, their friend, great were their sufferings; many were put to death, and others were driven from their native provinces into Bohemia, where they joined the Moravian and Bohemian brethren, and in after ages contributed to the strength and triumphs of the Hussites. The obscure retreats of the Waldenses and Albigenses, in the vallies, and contiguous country, in France and Switzerland, in great measure screened them from the jealous eye of papal emissaries; but their increase was not wholly unobserved, and a few years will bring them into the heat of the battle.

CHAPTER III.

State of Literature-Writers—Review of the Century.

RELIGION and learning are much nearer akin than some vulgar souls have imagined. The little learning the world possessed during the first ages of Christianity was soon lost when monkery, superstition, and priesteraft usurped an undue authority over the understandings of

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men. Had primitive Christianity been transmitted to succeeding generations, the common people must have been taught the rudiments of useful learning, they must have been taught to read, and readers must have had books, Christian readers must have had Bibles; and they who could have read the sacred writings would have had some taste for other records. But the Roman church did every thing in her power to extinguish light, and a dismal night was lengthened out for a series of ages. When true religion again made her appearance, learning appeared in her train. Learned men, if they had any love to the gospel, bad something to do, they had to spread religion; this could not be done without writing and circulating books. Hence Peter Waldo in the 12th century translated portions of the New Testament; and these attempts provoked others to engage in similar works.

In this century, as the reformation was dawning upon the world, many great men advocated the cause of truth, and declared their sentiments to the world. Some of the Greek emperors distinguished themselves as advocates for circulating knowledge. Andronicus the Elder composed a dialogue between a Jew and a Christian, which performance" is said to have been no contemptible defence" of the gospel. But writers of less name did, perhaps, the world more service. Barlaam appeared as a zealous advocate for the Greek church; and attacked the pope's supremacy. Nicephorus Calistius compiled a considerable work upon Ecclesiastical History. England we have noticed Bradwardine and Wickliff, to whom we may add here William Ockam, so named from a village in Surry where he was born, who distinguished himself by writing in defence of Philip the Fair in his disputes with the popes. Nicholas de Lyra, a Jewish

In

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Review.

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convert, gave public lectures on the sacred seriptures at Paris. Nicholas Oresmus, a Norman, preceptor to Charles V. of France, translated the Bible into French.

The events of this century, when taken together, will present at one view a scene widely different from any thing passing under our notice for many ages back. We have seen some earthly monarchs contending for their civil rights against the usurpations of the pretended suecessor of St. Peter-the popedom rent in twain, and the divided ecclesiastical dynasty degraded in the eyes of all Europe-protestants and reformers, on every side, venturing to assert their right to think for themselves, and demanding that privilege for others-and, what is still more encouraging, the translation of the Bible into the English language; the sound of which is gone out into all the world. AMEN! ALLELUJAH.

FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

CHAPTER I.

The Waldenses.

THE time is now come for the Waldensian confessors to hold a distinguished place in church history. Seven hundred years have elapsed since they first began to appear as a people separate, and distinct from the catholic and worldly church. Their beginnings were small, and their origin obscure, but now they are sufficiently nume. rous, and their character so strongly marked, that it is impossible for them any longer to escape the notice, and the fury, of the papal usurpation. In former centuries the Waldenses had suffered much, and often, from their persecutors, but in these sufferings they had generally been confounded with other sects, especially the Albigenses. Their enemies had continually hunted them out in the different countries whither they had been scattered, but no direct attack had been made upon their peaceful retreat in the vallies of Piedmont. That comparative quiet which this people enjoyed in this tract of country, no doubt contributed to bring great numbers, who favoured their views, together in these vallies. One thing is certain, at the commencement of this century, they began so to attract the attention of their malicious foes, that the obscure and lowly dwellings they occupied, no longer afforded them a safe retreat.